Car Servicing-Of course regular servicing is important for your car

Cabin filters Not Changed- So are too often forgotten, Corteco says

16th May 2022/0 Comments/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

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Cabin filters Not Changed

Cabin filters Not Changed

So, this image tells a story. This is a cabin filter which should be changed on most models of cars. Of course they are not changed!

Cabin filters are very important. Importantly, they filter out all sorts of nasties from entering your cars cabin. Demons like pollen and other invisible irritants that make many people feel realy ill! Hay fever is the enemy that comes to mind.

However, there are many other little monsters that can get into the car cabin area. Dust particles from all sorts of pollutants enter the cabin when the filter is removed or not changed when required.

Should be changed at the correct servicing interval?

So, these filters are part of most vehicles big service. However they are often overlooked and not changed by many service centres. Here at independent garage, Pellon Autocentre we save the old service parts and physically show our customers the old dirty parts. In my opinion this is the best practise. Including, the old air filters and oil filters.

Corteco has highlighted the importance of regular cabin filter replacement. Cabin air filters work to block out pollutants and irritants emitted by other vehicles on the road. Throughout the colder months, filters work to demist the windows

Source: Cabin filters are too often forgotten, Corteco says – Garagewire

Winter Car Check-Winter conditions will soon be upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere?

15th May 2022/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

Winter Car Check

Winter Car Check a Bargain?

This reminder about a check up for winter from Burrows Garage in Doncaster here in the UK. So, reminded me of the winter checks that we also offer to our customers here in Halifax, Yorkshire UK.

For a small sum of £19.90 we will give your car a levels check. When the winter conditions are imminent we check out the washer and wiper and replenish them with de-icing fluid (anti-freeze). We check the anti-freeze levels in the cars cooling system, as well as the lights and tyres.

This is a popular service for our customers and helps prepare their cars for the worst of the winter conditions ahead.

If we do find any problems with the tyre or lights, then we inform the customer before any other action is taken. We never fit any new parts on a Winter Car Check without the customer’s permission.

Winter Car Check

Fresh, clean oil reduces friction inside the engine, meaning less energy is needed to run the vehicle and that means less fuel is used. Modern oil uses clever technology to ensure more of it bonds to engines internal parts, reducing friction and further wear. In winter conditions it helps keep viscosity in cold and freezing weather.

There are many different grades of oil and you must ensure the correct oil is used for your engine – but take your car to a garage for a levels check, and all this will be handled for you.

I thoughrely recommend that you give your car the treat of a winter service. So which are now ongoing from October to any other time throughout winter. This time of year can be particularly busy, because it is the start of the winter tyre season. As soon as the winter conditions arrive the phones never stop ringing.

Pellon Autocentre Halifax Winter Car Check includes:

Top up of coolant
Top up of screen wash
Battery test and light bulb check
Full lights and wiper check
Tyre wear and pressure check and report
Complete visual health check and report

Car Brakes Problems-Common causes for troublesome brakes on your car?

13th May 2022/in Brake Servicing Halifax/by Eric Roberts

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car brakes problems.

Regular servicing will ensure that your car will have minimal Car Brakes Problems. However things can go wrong in between servicing. Mainly due to the weather conditions or dirt and grit from the roads.

In my opinion though, the main reason for Car Brakes Problems is neglect?

By neglect I simply mean that drivers miss servicing their cars.

Things to spot if you are having Brake Problems are as follows. The one that we often spot before the customer does is a soft or spongy brake pedal. We often notice this problem. When we are driving the car on the ramp. On some cars the pedal almost touches the floor pan. The usual cause of this is that the car has a fluid leak. Coming from either a brake pipe or brake cylinder. On occasional instances, then we find that water could have formed in the pipes. This is due to the fluid overheating and the resulting evaporation turns into water.
Other common Car Brakes Problems can start with a squealing sound coming from the car when braking occurs. This is when the brake pads are worn down to the metal backing and the sound is created with the metal of the worn out pads touching the metal brake discs. If your brakes make this or any other

sound then it is best to have your brakes checked by a reputable garage.

Car Brakes Problems

Other Brake Problems can be diagnosed. When the driver feels the car pulling to one side. This can be other problems such as a brake calliper that could be seized up or just that your wheel alignment may be out and need adjusting. Once again this can be remedied by your garage and corrected by having a brake service.

Many Brake Problems can be detected by grinding noises and even a bumping feeling when you put pressure on the brake pedal. This can also be solved by fitting a new set of brake pads. The bumping feeling is very often linked to a warped brake disc. This could only be remedied by a new set of discs and pads.

These are the most common problems that we see in a normal week at Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, in Halifax Yorkshire. If you service your car at regular intervals then these problems would be picked up before they manifest themselves as faults.

Car Servicing Advice-Do I Have To Service My New Car At The Dealership? Look for quality and Standards

8th May 2022/in All Car Repair Articles, All Car Servicing, Brake Servicing Halifax/by Eric Roberts

Car Servicing Advice

An answer to the popular question “do I have to service my new car at the dealership?” straight from the horses mouth, Guelph Hyundai’s very own Service Adviser.

Car Servicing Advice-If you require car servicing or car repairs. The answer is NO?

“If you are a garage with a good reputation then the answer is In order to keep a warranty valid. So, the customer must perform all of the maintenance that is required. Of course and specified, in the owner’s manual to maintain the vehicle’s warranty”

This applies in the USA and also here in the European Union. Including here in Halifax Yorkshire, UK.

We are all covered by a right to repair law. Allowing us to repair cars that are still under warranty. Thus as long as the service parts fitted are up to the same standard. Hence, as the ones fitted as original equipment, by the car manufacturers.

This also applies to any new equipment that the car makers may bring out. Of course, they must release the patents for the aftercare garages . Or be able to repair and service the cars.

This prevents a closed shop scenario from being created. Consequently, with the new cars going to the main dealers only.

Toyota are having to release many patents to do with the EV cars. So that your regular garage can have a chance of repairing them.

https://www.pellonautocentre.com/do-you-have-to-have-your-car-servicing-done-by-the-main-dealer/

Car servicing your new car Do you have to use the main dealer?

The straight forward answer to this is NO! You do not have to take your car back to the franchise car dealer from where you bought the car. The problem that we get at my garage here in Halifax Yorkshire, UK, is that many of the public think that you have to return back to the garage from where you purchased the vehicle to have a car service.

The franchise dealer will not of course tell you this when you buy the car, because they obviously want your business. But in many cases this could be inconvenient for the new car owner. We have many very satisfied customers who do not want to take their cars anywhere else, for repairs or for car servicing.

There are a few rules that you should follow, if you do go to your independent garage, they must adhere to a few rules. These rules were set out by the EU when the right to repair ruling first came out, and I think that this is something similar in the USA, with their “right to repair bill”.

Firstly they would like the garage to be of good standing and probably affiliated to a trade organization that gives the garage some credibility. Another way to check if your local garage has good standing is if they are an MOT testing station, here in the UK.

These accreditation’s will ensure that your car will have car servicing and repairs carried out to the right standards.

Another consideration to take into account is that you should check to see if your local garage uses car service parts that are as good as the manufacturer’s original equipment standards. Most quality garages will do this as a second nature, and use either OE parts (oil filters etc.) We use a top quality make called “Blue Print”, which are guaranteed to be just as good as the OE parts supplied by the main dealer garage.

If you stick to the rules and make sure that the car servicing booklet that is provided in every car is kept up to date, then you will have no problems if you have any warranty issues. By the way, if you do have a warranty problem then you should return the car back to the franchise dealer from where the car came.

Car Servicing Tips-Six Easy Steps for Avoiding Expensive Car Repairs by sticking to basics

2nd May 2022/2 Comments/in All Car Servicing, All Unipart Service Centres Stuff/by Eric Roberts

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Car Servicing Tips; Car repairs need not be that expensive

Significantly, a visit to your local car repairs shop can be even more stressful. Say than a visit to your local dentist. Perhaps you wont suffer physical pain. But sometimes your car repairs bill. Frighteningly, can leave your wallet or purse feeling pretty empty. Including, leaving you with a bad taste in your mouth.

The best way to try and avoid costly repairs. So, is to take preventative maintenance measures and Car Servicing Tips that will keep your car in the best condition possible.

The foremost thing that you should do is to follow the car manufacturers maintenance schedule. Of course, that will be outlined in your owner’s manual. The best guidelines are always always the ones that are recommended. Of course, by the manufacturer and if you fail to follow those guidelines. Your warranty may be voided for future repairs. Although here in Europe. You are allowed to have your car repairs and servicing. So, carried out by a reputable garage, that uses original equipment service parts and oils by law. So, without breaking your warranty agreement. Importantly, a reputable garage would be one that operates under the MOT testing station scheme.

Always be sure to change fluids

Naturally, such as your brake fluid, all the filters and spark plugs (if fitted) to what the car’s manufacturer recommends. It is also a good idea to upgrade your motor oil to a higher performance synthetic oil, which can help to prevent certain problems and can also improve your car’s overall performance. We keep in several types of oil for servicing as specifications are changing all the time but using synthetic oil is not a bad thing and will cover most modern engines.

Always be sure that your tyres are correctly inflated. This is especially important, because tyres with too little air, or too much, can result in excessive wear with bad handling and may cause a tyre to blow out. It is often recommended that your tyre pressures are checked during every other visit to the petrol station. While this may seems excessive, you won’t be sorry that you have kept your tyres correctly inflated and therefore safer. For reasons of both safety and the expense of new tyres, the extra effort is well worth it.

If you notice any unusual noises coming from your car, possibly engine problems! Whilst driving along check with your owner’s manual for information. Quite often, noises are perfectly normal and there is no need for concern. Your owner’s manual information section will let you know whether or not a visit to the Auto-centre is necessary.

Use a reputable garage for your car repairs

If you find that you do have to take your vehicle in for some Car Repair Advice, be sure that you are dealing with a reputable local company. Check with the other local people and ask your family or friends for recommendations. Also look out for your local independent garage, as they have very high standards to qualify for membership, and a nationwide warranty system, for if problems occur see your Local Car Repair Garages.

Hybrid Car Servicing-Good Garage Scheme Car Servicing in Great Britain : Get Ready for …

1st May 2022/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

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Hybrid Car Servicing

Hybrid Car Servicing Pellon Autocentre, Halifax UK

Hybrid Car Servicing

With cold weather just around the corner and nights beginning to draw in, the Good Garage Scheme is encouraging motorists to have their cars professionally checked to ensure they are safe and reliable in the winter months …

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Winter is on its way ?

This article from the “Good garage scheme” . Thus, pointing out to the motorist to the severe weather conditions the could be imminent. Of course, that may lie ahead. Frighteningly, with the effects that a severe winter could have on your car. Importantly, if you did not prepare for it by servicing your hybrid car before the winter arrives.

So, helping the consumers by offering an MOT test and service for just about the £100 mark all inclusive. This offer is for most small and medium sized cars and will carry out your hybrid Servicing. Of course, on their cars for the winter ahead. This offer also includes a brake check and your anti-freeze levels topping up the correct winter levels. So you won’t be the one with a frozen engine. We also give your battery a good check over. For fear that, you will not be late to work because your cars battery has failed you.

Of course, it is now 2020 and we are just starting our second Covid 19 lockdown.

If your car does require an MOT test. Then it is important to give your garage plenty of time when booking in your car for a test. In there usual wisdom the government decided to postpone MOT testing for a 6 month period. Consequently, we now have a large backlog of tests.

The second lockdown starting on the 5th November 2020. Thankfully, the government are not suspending any testing for the second time.

See on www.goodgarageschemeblog.com

Service Reminders Very Important- Than ever – Pellon Autocentre

30th April 2022/0 Comments/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

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Service Reminders Very Important

So, importantly, service reminders have always been our policy! MOT Testing reminders have also been one our priorities. Of course, computer technology and the appropriate software that accompanies it does help considerably. In the early days we would have to write everything down sometimes months in advance. However to be truthful we still do this to some extent.

This practice is invaluable when it comes to booking in MOT tests and car servicing. Especially, when it comes to sorting out the accumulation of testing slots! Due to the backlog caused by the governments cancellation of MOT testing during the recent Covid 19 crisis.

Unhappily we as a country are having to go into a second lockdown. Fortunately, we are one of the businesses who can stay open. Because we are considered as an important service to keep workers cars going and to carry out MOT tests on time. This advice also applies to people who are fortunate enough to have a company car.

Keeping your customers informed and up to date with their vehicle maintenance is seen as a valued service by customers and can be offered cost effectively nowadays. Using SMS and email is a convenient way to

Source: Opinion: Service reminders more important than ever – Garagewire

New Diesel particulate filters Law-2014- makes Even more important to use the correct Oil

29th April 2022/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

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New Diesel particulate filters Law

Oil helps in reducing vehicle emissions

New laws are making car manufacturers vastly reduce the emissions of new models that they produce. One of the ways to do this is by fitting complicated exhaust after treatment units to their cars. It means that new low SAPS oil must be used to protect these units. New laws will be coming out in 2014 to reduce the emissions even further. For further reading follow “Diesel net“.

Another large change that is now becoming more common is the development of the “extended service intervals”, this means that the car owner needs to use special long life oils must be used to meet the extra demands of the longer service intervals. Most service centers will have the computer technology to state the exact oil that the car requires, but things are becoming more difficult for the DIY motorists amongst us.

New Diesel particulate filters Law; Indeed by using the wrong oil in your car can cost you around £2500

For a new engine unit, this the average cost of a family sized saloon engine replacement. I am not trying to scaremonger, but the stuff in your engine is becoming more critical. The number of 5W-30 oil types now used on modern cars has increased dramatically; this is because of the number of reasons introduced by the car manufacturers.

Any motorist getting this wrong will end up in trouble and possibly a large bill. It is now getting more important to have your vehicle serviced at a reputable service center, even an engine service will be better than nothing, do not forget good service centers will have all the help from the oil companies to make sure that they get the correct product for their car. The wrong oils will block up your diesel particulate filter or poison your three-way catalytic converter, all at a terrible cost. Also do not forget to get the correct oil mix, for example, synthetic or semi-synthetic oils, or even diesel or petrol oils, all have different properties, so if in doubt have your car serviced by professionals, and don’t take the risk of a damaged engine.

Pellon Auto Centre in Halifax offers to service at excellent rates.

Vauxhall Corsa Fails MOT Test- Because of Worn Out Front Suspension.

27th April 2022/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

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Vauxhall Corsa Fails MOT Test

The Vauxhall Corsa is indeed a very popular little car,

Especially with female drivers. The little car also makes a good city car, with very little problem when getting around town and parking. The Corsa is well known for its light steering;

(power steering) which makes the little car easy to maneuver and along with its good rear end visibility makes the car easy to park and is a favorite with the lady drivers.

The car was launched by Vauxhall in 1993 and has proved to be a very successful model for the giant car company. The car has also remained cheap to buy, both new and second hand. We recently purchased a Vauxhall Corsa from one of our lady customers, to be used as one of our courtesy cars, and it has proven to be a little gem and popular with our lady drivers, who use the car when leaving their own car for servicing or repairs.

The Corsa has a few drawbacks

Size wise this car is not for the taller person. Also, the car is very cramped when driving with four adults, (two fronts and two rears). Additionally, they are also not very suitable for the out of town open road driving. Significantly, noisy due to road and engine noise. Also, they do not corner very well. Especially with a full car of adults.

However despite this the little super mini is very popular amongst younger people. As this is the first car than many first time drivers can usually afford , Corsa’s can be found at bargain prices and as I have said earlier the lady drivers love to drive them around town and they are easy to park.

The running costs of these little cars are one of its assets, the little 1.0 litre cars can do as many as 50 mpg and the diesel versions can come up figures of 60 mpg, making the car a good

choice for the economically minded driver. The insurance is also very low, most normal sized engine cars come into the lowest insurance groups possible. The Corsa is also cheap to service, making the car as I have said earlier cheap and economical to run, favouring the money conscious lady drivers and the young first time car buyers.

Vauxhall Corsa cars have had several factory recalls

These little cars are usually trouble free when it comes mechanical problems apart from the usual wear and tear items such as tyres, exhausts and suspension and brake parts, but there has been a few recall problems with cars between 2000 and 2006.

The following problems included, air bag problem due to faulty software, faulty seat adjustment catches and spring, causing the seat to move or not lock, steering wheel problems, the centre nut that holds the steering wheel in place was not tightened correctly causing the steering wheel to wobble. The early Corsa had also cam-belt problems, they should be changed every 40,000 miles promptly, or a damaged engine could follow,

One of our long standing lady customers dropped off her car for a service and an MOT test. She said that the car was in excellent condition and should walk the test. Dale Linton tested the car and found that all sorts of things were wrong. The steering and suspension had lots of play in them, the car also had a broken spring and also failed the emissions test.

We always phone our customers before working on their car and we always save the old parts for them to look at.

The Vauxhall Corsa Fails MOT Test. Requiring new front control arms (known as wishbones to some people). Including a new spring and a new lambda sensor. The lady said that she could hear some knocking coming from the front of the Vauxhall Corsa. When she drove over speed bumps, but did not think much about it. She gave us permission to complete the work. So, new control arms were fitted.

We know that you can fit new control arm bushes. But this takes much longer and by the time you have removed the old bushes and fitted new ones. Of course, we can fit a complete new arm. The costs work out about the same because of the labour factor.

We fitted a new lambda sensor and a new spring. So, before MOT re-testing the Vauxhall Corsa and then servicing it. The car is now a far better ride than when she brought it in and the lady customer noticed this and thanked us for our great service.

Anti-Lock Brake Systems- ABS- have been around for 20 years or more

27th April 2022/in Brake Servicing Halifax/by Eric Roberts

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Anti-Lock Brake Systems

Anti-Lock braking systems -problems are now a common thing

So, one of the things that I am most proud about. Of course, been a garage owner ! Is when a customer contacts my garage for a brake problem sorting out? Subsequently, it appears not be the price that the person is worried about. Because they know how important it is to have good brakes on their car.

Before we remove the wheels to examine the brakes. So, generally we have a blank canvas to work from. We know that most cars that get to the stage of having practically no brakes! Then the braking system will be in pretty bad shape. Believe me they usually are.

Back in the old days! Then the cars brakes were a much simpler affair to diagnose and repair. Of course, with only the upper end of the market cars. Having any type of electrical modifications in order to aid better braking. As in almost all the car developments. So, brakes were originally tested and tried on motorsport vehicles. Long time before been tried and tested on the average road cars. Including the beginning of the ABS braking systems! Importantly, that are in common use today.

At first Anti-lock braking systems only came out on the prestige cars such as BMW and Mercedes

but many drivers had not heard of them before, in fact we still get customers in today that do not know what it means when their ABS warning light comes on and has to be investigated. Twenty years ago many vehicles owners were given the option of having ABS brakes or not, similar sort of thing to fitting alloy wheels or steel wheels, they were an optional extra.

Anti-Lock braking systems work differently to a standard braking system

ABS brakes do act differently to a normal braking system. The main two advantages are that; when you are braking on a wet slippery road surface, or say on ice, then your car will stop quicker, this also applies to normal roads of course. Also the car will handle much better when the driver has to brake and steer at the same time, once again say in bad weather conditions, the car will handle much better that when using a conventional braking system.

In any normal driving situations such as stopping at traffic lights or at a road junction, then the Anti-Lock Braking Systems does not activate, but if you need to brake sharply and suddenly then the Anti-Lock Braking Systems will be activated and assist you in braking more safely.

The Anti-Lock Braking Systems sends out pulses of pressure instead of the single pressure that is asserted when braking a normal car. You can actually feel the pulses coming through the brake pedal when you have to assert pressure on to the brake pedal in an emergency stop. It is also important to note that if you do come across a bad situation caused by say snow or a non-tarmac road, then you will still have to slow down, your ABS system will not help you in such situations.

The main gaining point of Anti-Lock Braking Systems is that the driver has full control when braking and steering at the same time and can help the driver to steer away from danger; they prevent the wheel from locking, in certain conditions.

Practice your ABS brake system

In my experience it has always been a good idea to take your car and have a practice with the brakes if you are driving a car fitted with ABS brakes for the first time and get used to the different feel of the brakes when going straight and when steering.

The in cab ABS warning light may come on if there is a fault with the ABS system or the normal braking system. If the warning light comes on then you should have the brakes looked at as soon as possible. In our experience it is usually something simple such as a faulty electrical connection or even that the car needs a set of new pads. You can also find problems with Anti Lock Brake Sensors and other Anti Lock Brake Parts. Once the problem has been found and rectified the ABS warning light can be re-set with a computer.

Also sell Firestone Tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk. By using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. We offer courtesy cars to local motorists who need to go to work. Also an official MOT testing station who carry out checks for high standard of equipment and workmanship.